My HiKR Ground Review: Seoul’s Ultimate K-Pop Experience (Floor by Floor)

Okay, you guys… I thought I knew Seoul. I really did. I’ve done the palace tours, eaten my weight in street food at Gwangjang Market, and shopped in Myeongdong until my wallet cried. But on my last trip, I stumbled upon something that just, wow, completely blew my mind: HiKR Ground.

I’d heard people mention it, but I figured it was just another tourist information center. Oh, how wrong I was. This place isn’t just an “exhibition hall”—it’s a five-story, high-tech, interactive love letter to everything Korea. It’s part theme park, part content studio, part museum, and part café, all rolled into one. And the best part? It’s right in the heart of Seoul, next to the beautiful Cheonggyecheon Stream.

The name “HiKR” is a cute combo of “Hi” and “KOREA,” a super friendly greeting to visitors, and honestly, that’s exactly what it feels like. It’s like the entire country is saying, “Hey, come on in! Let us show you what we’re all about.”

I spent an entire afternoon here and still felt like I could have stayed longer. So, grab a coffee (or a banana milk!), get comfy, and let me walk you through this must-visit spot, floor by floor. Trust me, you’re going to want to add this to your itinerary.

1F: The Welcome That Stops You in Your Tracks (HiKR Wall) 

The second you walk through the doors, you get it. This is not your average building.

The entire first floor is dominated by the “HiKR Wall.” And when I say “wall,” I mean a colossal 5-meter-tall by 32.5-meter-wide LED screen. It’s no joke. It’s less of a screen and more of a portal.

I just stood there for a solid ten minutes, completely mesmerized. The screen plays this stunning, cinematic feature on Korea’s four seasons. One second, you’re surrounded by cherry blossoms at Gyeongbokgung Palace in spring, and the next, you’re flying over the crystal-blue waters of Haeundae Beach in Busan. It transitions to fiery autumn leaves at Seoraksan Mountain, then to a cozy, snow-covered hanok village in Jeonju.

It’s a full-on sensory experience that sets the tone for your entire visit. It’s not just showing you pictures; it’s pulling you into the vibe of Korea. I’ve seen big screens in Times Square, but this felt different. It was art.

2F: Your K-Pop Debut Awaits (K-pop Ground) 

Okay, let’s be real. For a lot of us, K-pop is a huge part of why we’re so fascinated with Korea. Well, the second floor, “K-pop Ground,” is where you get to live out your ultimate idol fantasy. And I am not kidding.

This isn’t just a room with some cardboard cutouts. This is a full-blown, high-tech experience. They’ve used XR and AR technology to create these incredibly elaborate music video sets. And get this: they were designed in collaboration with real music video studios. This is the real deal.

Living Your “Idol” Moment

You guys, I am not a dancer. But even I couldn’t resist.

You can walk into these different zones, each with a unique concept. There was a gritty-cool subway car set, a retro coin laundry (perfect for that ’90s vibe), a futuristic spaceship, and more. You actually get to control the experience. You can choose your own lighting—like, do you want dramatic red, cool blue, or bright pop pink? You can even pick the soundtrack that plays.

Then, you just… perform! The tech films you and integrates you into the scene. I did this little awkward shuffle on the subway set, and when I saw the playback, I looked way cooler than I felt. 😆 The camera angles, the lighting… it all just works. There’s also a live studio and other themed photo zones for your feed.

Honestly, if you’re a K-pop fan, this floor alone is worth the visit. It’s your chance to stop being a spectator and actually be the star.

3F: Living Like a Local (HiKR Street) 

After my exhausting (but thrilling) career as a K-pop idol, I headed up to the third floor, “HiKR Street.” The theme here is “Dailycation,” which is a blend of “Daily” and “Vacation.” And it’s a perfect description. This floor is all about letting you dive into the everyday life of Koreans, but in a super fun, interactive way.

This floor felt like walking through a really cool, artsy neighborhood alley. There were reproductions of Korean streets, art installations, and a ton of things to do.

The World’s Coolest Convenience Store

The absolute highlight for me was the HiKR Express Zone. It’s set up like a typical Korean convenience store—which, by the way, are already amazing. But this one is magic.

The shelves are lined with replicas of all the classic Korean snacks and drinks. You take what you want, but instead of paying, you scan the barcodes. And this is where it gets crazy. An AI takes your scanned items and creates a whimsical “fantasy menu” that doesn’t exist in real life.

I was totally playing around with this. I grabbed a bungeoppang (that’s the adorable fish-shaped pastry, usually filled with red bean) and a triangle gimbap (think of it as Korea’s on-the-go sushi roll). I scanned them together, and the screen lit up with a wild combo: “Bungeoppang Gimbap Set!” It was hilarious and weirdly creative. It’s a silly, fun way to learn about all the different snacks.

More Than Just Snacks

But it’s not just about food. This floor is packed with other AR and XR experiences. In one corner, I “rode” a skateboard through Korean backstreets in an XR game. In another, I popped into a private room to experience a noraebang (a Korean singing room). Yes, I belted out a few songs. When in Seoul, right?

This whole “local life tour” lets you explore housing, fashion, and leisure in a way that’s so much more engaging than just reading about it in a guidebook.

4F: Korea’s Backyard at Your Fingertips (Local Ground) 

The fourth floor, “Local Ground,” is where HiKR Ground gets really smart. It’s a rotating exhibition space that showcases different regions of Korea, all centered around various themes. This is so cool because it means every time you visit, you could see something new.

When I was there, the theme was “Hobbies and Travel.” It was like a mini-tour of Korea’s regional charms without ever leaving Seoul.

• There was an exhibition capturing the peaceful, green atmosphere of Hadong’s traditional tea fields. I could almost smell the fresh tea leaves.
• They had a setup of the historic Samyang Café in Jeonju, which is apparently over 70 years old.
• There were also displays about adventure travel, like paragliding and camping, showcasing Korea’s amazing outdoor scene.

My One-of-a-Kind Souvenir

The best part of this floor? The HitchHiKR’s Custom Station. It’s a hands-on craft activity where you can make your own custom souvenir. And it was totally free with on-site registration.

I got to pick from a bunch of cool emblem patches and a base item (like a pouch or socks). I made my own little pouch and, yes, I totally got the tiger and magpie patches. Apparently, they were inspired by the hit movie “KPOP Demon Hunters (2025)”—a little pop culture tie-in I loved.

It was such a fun, simple, and personal souvenir. Way better than a generic keychain, right?

5F: The Sweetest Ending (Pause Ground) 

After four floors of adventure, my feet were tired, and I needed caffeine. Stat. The fifth floor, “Pause Ground,” is the perfect finale.

This floor is home to the HiKR Lounge and, most importantly, an iconic Café Knotted.

Let’s Talk About Knotted Donuts

If you haven’t heard of Knotted, let me fill you in. This brand started in Seoul in 2017 and basically changed Korea’s entire dessert game. They made these cream-filled donuts an absolute sensation. They’re all over social media, and for good reason. They are delicious.

Getting to relax with one of their famous donuts (I got the milk cream, 10/10) and a good iced americano… it was perfect. The lounge area is beautiful, with massive windows that overlook the Cheonggyecheon Stream. It was so nice to just sit, snack, and watch the city go by below.

The Most Useful Lounge Ever

But this floor isn’t just about donuts. It also has a fantastic Tourist Information Center. And this isn’t some tiny booth. It’s staffed by experts who can give you travel tips, help with transportation, and even recommend itineraries for other regions in Korea.

After seeing all the cool regional stuff on the 4th floor, I was actually feeling inspired to plan a trip outside of Seoul. The staff here were super helpful and gave me a ton of brochures. In fact, this is the only place in Korea where you can find an archive of tourism brochures from the entire country all in one spot.

This is so, so smart. You get hyped up about travel, and then bam, here are the resources to actually plan it.

The Final Verdict

So, is HiKR Ground worth it? A million times, yes.

It’s not just a place, it’s a total experience. It’s the “all-in-one” travel course it claims to be. You get a taste of K-pop, modern tech, daily life, regional culture, and top-tier desserts, all in a single, easy-to-navigate building. It’s perfect for your first day in Seoul to get you hyped, or your last day as a perfect way to wrap everything up.

It’s interactive, it’s fun for all ages, and it’s a content creator’s dream. I left feeling so inspired and even more in love with Korea’s creativity.

Frequently Asked Questions ❓

What do you think? Have you been to HiKR Ground, or is it on your list now? If you have any more questions, feel free to ask in the comments below!